Cabin improvements for 2011 give the Compass upgraded real estate from which to hit the dusty trail. More importantly, mechanical improvements and additional off-road components give the Trail Rated Compass the ability to conquer off-road excursions once thought too extreme for an economical crossover.
Earning the Badge
Jeep doesn’t affix their “Trail Rated” certification to just anything exhibiting a seven-slot grille; no, that title has to be earned the hard way. To succeed, a Jeep product must master the rock crawl and cross a rushing creek -- among other challenges.
Certification is bestowed upon a Jeep if it performs to established thresholds in five specific off-road related categories; these include traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation, and water fording. In order to succeed, the Compass needed some new hardware.
Perhaps the most essential installation is Jeep’s Freedom-Drive II Off-Road Package, which includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle (CVT) that supplies low-range gearing when the four-wheel-drive (4WD) mode is activated.
I was impressed with the ease of usage associated with Freedom-Drive II, as well as its interesting ability to supply effective low-range gearing via a CVT. Although I didn’t take this week’s tester off-road, I was left with the impression that it had the guts to tackle highly challenging conditions.
With the inclusion of 17-inch, all-terrain tires and an additional inch of ground clearance over a non Trail Rated Compass underpin my impression is that this low-cost 4X4 is serious about keeping up with larger, less [lionk artid="99672"]fuel-efficient[/link] rigs on the trail.
Skid plates, tow hooks and Hill Decent Control (HDC) combine to complete the off-road package. When the 4WD mode is not activated, the Freedom-Drive system provides a full-time active, all-wheel-drive similar to that of many other less robust, all-wheel-drive (AWD) crossovers.
And like those units, the Compass utilizes a fuel-efficient, 4-cylinder engine for propulsion.
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| The ''Trail Rated'' title has to be earned the hard way and for succeed, a Jeep product must master the rock crawl and cross a rushing creek -- among other challenges. (Photo: Jeep) |
Earning the Badge
Jeep doesn’t affix their “Trail Rated” certification to just anything exhibiting a seven-slot grille; no, that title has to be earned the hard way. To succeed, a Jeep product must master the rock crawl and cross a rushing creek -- among other challenges.
Certification is bestowed upon a Jeep if it performs to established thresholds in five specific off-road related categories; these include traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation, and water fording. In order to succeed, the Compass needed some new hardware.
Perhaps the most essential installation is Jeep’s Freedom-Drive II Off-Road Package, which includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle (CVT) that supplies low-range gearing when the four-wheel-drive (4WD) mode is activated.
I was impressed with the ease of usage associated with Freedom-Drive II, as well as its interesting ability to supply effective low-range gearing via a CVT. Although I didn’t take this week’s tester off-road, I was left with the impression that it had the guts to tackle highly challenging conditions.
With the inclusion of 17-inch, all-terrain tires and an additional inch of ground clearance over a non Trail Rated Compass underpin my impression is that this low-cost 4X4 is serious about keeping up with larger, less [lionk artid="99672"]fuel-efficient[/link] rigs on the trail.
Skid plates, tow hooks and Hill Decent Control (HDC) combine to complete the off-road package. When the 4WD mode is not activated, the Freedom-Drive system provides a full-time active, all-wheel-drive similar to that of many other less robust, all-wheel-drive (AWD) crossovers.
And like those units, the Compass utilizes a fuel-efficient, 4-cylinder engine for propulsion.
 |
| This low-cost 4X4 is serious about keeping up with larger, less fuel-efficient rigs on the trail. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |